During the 19th century the brown bear (Ursus arctos) population in Norway was reduced to remnant level. The population has since been restored and recently seems to be increasing. Concern is present for bear management in connection with sheep predation, as sheep husbandry is important throughout Norway, the stock in 1976 amounting to 1.6 million animals. The management technique now practiced combines selective hunting of troublemakers with monetary compensation for sheep killed. The number of sheep killed by bears is insignificant compared with the total sheep mortality, and bear predation is important only locally, primarily in areas in Hedmark, Hordaland, and Finnmark counties. Ethical arguments against bears are raised in connection with observations of overkill, and a research program has been initiated to analyze predation patterns in greater detail. Overkill by bears is not restricted to surplus killing. In most cases, small amounts are consumed from each carcass - nutritionally valuable parts such as breast fat deposits and udders. This behavior may represent extreme food selection under plentiful prey conditions and should be compared with selective grazing among herbivores. The organization of behavior in predatory mammals relevant to livestock losses is discussed.
- Volume 4
- Issue
- Pages 233-241
- Publication Date 1 January 1980
- DOI 10.2307/3872873
- File Size 503.00 KB
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